Despite decades of research and rapid technological advancements, many aspects of the human body remain puzzling to scientists and doctors. Given the body’s incredible complexity, this isn’t entirely unexpected.
Just as some people claim to possess a “sixth sense” that helps them anticipate future events, recent research suggests that humans might also have an unconscious ability to sense when death is near. According to scientists, when a person dies, the body begins to break down almost immediately, releasing putrescine—a foul-smelling, toxic compound associated with decomposition. Interestingly, humans seem to subconsciously detect this odor and respond to it without being aware.
Arnaud Wisman from the University of Kent’s School of Psychology in the UK and Ilan Shira from the Department of Behavioral Sciences at Arkansas Tech University in the U.S. have conducted studies indicating that, like animals, humans are wired to respond to scent cues. This instinctive reaction plays a crucial role in survival across species.
Their experiments showed that exposure to putrescine triggered both conscious and unconscious reactions in people. Much like animals that either flee or prepare to fight when sensing danger, humans exposed to the scent instinctively moved away.
“We often don’t understand why we’re attracted to or repelled by someone’s scent,” Wisman and Shira explained. “Most of us aren’t even aware of how deeply scent influences our emotions, preferences, and behaviors.”
Although many might not associate fear with a particular smell, researchers note that certain odors can increase our vigilance and heighten our awareness of our surroundings.
A well-known example is sex pheromones—chemical signals released by males or females that trigger behavioral responses in the opposite sex, often for mating purposes. These pheromones illustrate how scent can influence human behavior in subtle yet powerful ways.
In contrast, putrescine appears to send an entirely different message. While pheromones often promote attraction and bonding, putrescine triggers avoidance and defensiveness. Yet, researchers emphasize that people typically aren’t conscious of the scent or its association with death or fear.
